Thanksgiving, Nepali-style

Okay so Thanksgiving is kind of an American-only thing, no one else really feasts on behalf of Native American and pilgrims. The Nepalese don’t need an excuse to feast on amazing food, we do that everyday :)

Nevertheless, having grown up in the U.S., I have American holidays engrained into me so I couldn’t forget the third Thursday of November.

The only problem is that no one else celebrates it here (also, there are no turkeys here).

So instead, I spent this Thanksgiving on top of a mountain, picnicking with my family while watching the sun set in the Himalayas.

Nagarkot is the highest peak around the valley at an elevation of 2,195 meters.  The 360 degree mountain view is breathtaking. It really can’t get more perfect than this.

I have so much to give thanks for. Even just this trip itself - sometimes I still can’t believe that I got this incredible opportunity. I have been talking about this trip for years and I’m finally here. I’m so thankful for the support of my wonderful family and friends, my alma mater, my professors and advisers, my mentors, and my scholarship donor. I really would be nowhere without you. 

Thank you.

the team

Finally got over that wretched illness and got back to work. I started at a private hospital on Sunday

–inpatient rounds and outpatient clinic in the morning, and the operation theatre in the afternoons.

 

The doctors  have been spectacular and it is pretty amazing to see them in action (read more about one of the consultant surgeons) . It is thrilling to think that I’ll one day be in their shoes.

I get to see patients all the way through from the initial consultation to post-op follow-ups. Being at a private clinic, the doctors have a lot more time to explain EVERYTHING to me - everything from how to read an x-ray and explaining diagnoses/diseases/treatments to showing me step by step several surgical procedures, how to manage anesthesiology, pre/post-op procedures.

kidney stones
after removal

As a sidenote, after seeing mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (MPCNL – kidney stone removal) and laparoscopic surgery…. 

I asked one of the doctors what we’re doing today, and he replied with treasure hunting. Kidney stones really do look like gold on a video feed, and the electrohydraulic gun used to break large stones into smaller pieces sounds like a paintball gun, to top it off, the forceps used to grab the pieces out looks like a giant claw game

Of course that is an immensely simplified way of looking at a difficult technique, but still… I’m now completely convinced surgeons have to be really good at video games :) and also can confirm the well known fact that anesthesiologists are multi-tasking geniuses.

some of the team relaxing before getting started for the day

The doctors, PAs, nurses, interns, and other staff are a tightly knit, highly cohesive AND incredibly welcoming group. They’re professional, fun, friendly, easy-going, and amazing at what they do. As we sat in the lounge chatting and joking around, waiting for the next case, one of the doctors said to me, “You know it’s always like this, day or night, we spend most of our time here; these are my friends, my family, my coworkers, my team.”

Described it perfectly.

I want that.

Tihar

Diwali

the festival of lights

Laxmi Puja

leading the goddess of wealth, Laxmi, into the home

  

my cousin's son wanted to join in

Bhai Tika

On the last day of Tihar, sisters bless their brothers and wishing them a long life in return for their protection. Brothers will bless their sisters and give a monetary gift.

4 out of 5 of my uncles lined up for Bhai Tika

my turn

the kid's section :)

starting early

KTS

 

I have had an amazing experience working at the hospital. The clinical experience was phenomenal and incredibly eye-opening. Unfortunately since I do not have a medical degree, there was not much I could do to help the patients besides keep them company and cheer them up. I got to help the medical staff in small ways but one of my goals for this trip was to give back to the community and I felt like this clinical experience was not enough.

I planned to volunteer at Kumbeshwar Technical School (Read more about them here: http://www.kumbeshwar.com). I was interested in working at their primary school and orphanage. I contacted them when I arrived but the kids had exams until after the holidays.

yarn made from scratch at KTS

carpet weaving

After Dashain, I visited the school and met the kids. The school is free to all children that are admitted. It is funded by sales of their high-quality Fair Trade carpets, knitwear and furniture. I learned about how both sides work. 

the showroom

wood-working shop

knitting contest

the orphanage

Some of the stories I heard were incredible. One orphan was left on the side of the street as a baby because he was deaf and mute. The director found him, took him in, and sent him to school. Once he grew up, he moved out and got his own place but eventually came back to work at KTS. A lot of the teachers I have met are also former students. They are all one big family.

         

I asked to hear some more stories of the children in the orphanage and everyone was so open and willing to share, wanting to get the stories out there.

Shena Rai

Shena Rai was born on 14th Dec 2002 was admitted to the hostel in May 2007. She belongs to Okhaldhunga district far village outside Kathmandu. Shena's parents used to stay in a rented apartment in Boudha in Kathmandu valley. Her family was very poor and had lots of problems. Her father left her when she was about 1 years old; people say he married another woman and went to India to work. Her mother also left when she was 2 years old. Her neighbor looked after her but due to their poor economic condition they found it difficult to support her. The neighbor tried to admit her to the orphans home but was not successful. Luckily they found out about KTS and brought her here. Shena is now studying in Nursery class at KTS. She is a very quiet and shy girl.
 

Sharmila Shahi

Sharmila Shahi was born on 16th May 2001 in Kalikot District, one of the most remote villages of Nepal. Her father died when she was 17 months old. Her mother re-married and her step father did not accept her. She was brought to KTS orphanage home from the Child Empowerment Center, Nepal in June 2004. She is a quiet and friendly girl. She is studying at
KTS primary school grade 3.
 

Kisaan Chepang

Kisaan Chepang was born on 23 July 2010 (2061.04.08) in Terse, Taklung village in the Gorkha district. The community to which he belongs is one of the most backward communities in the
country. The community is in a cave of the remote hills of the jungle like in the stone age. His father died due to mental illness when he was 2 years old. His mother worked as a stone
breaker and found it difficult to look after him. He was recommended by Nepal Chepang Association and brought to us by member of constitution assembly, Mrs. Maya Chepang. He was admitted to the home on 21st June 2010. He is also studying in KTS primary school. He is a quiet and friendly boy.

  

Over the next few weeks I will be volunteering in the school library. My last couple visits have been incredibly inspiring; I am excited to be a part of it.

 

Childcraft books I donated

 

 

project using the Childcraft series